IRJET- Application of Algae in Air Pollution Control Technique

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 07 Issue: 03 | Mar 2020 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2020, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.34 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3613
APPLICATION OF ALGAE IN AIR POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNIQUE
Saurabh Srivastava1, Dr Sneha Gupta2
1 M.Tech Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur.
273010, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology,
Gorakhpur. 273010, India
-------------------------------------------------------------------------***------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT:- Air pollution is caused when harmful substances are introduced into the earth’s atmosphere. It may also cause
harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops and may also damage the natural or built environment.
Human activity and natural processes can both generate air pollution. Here a biological method is being used to remove the
pollutants present in the air. Algae such as spirulina which is capable of reducing the carbon-di-oxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the polluted air and generating oxygen. The equipment comprises of the culture tank filled
with the culture fluid including algae and air supply unit. By radiating the light throughout the equipment using sunlight
during the morning and fluorescent lamps during night in the presence of carbon-di-oxide (CO2) photosynthesis will occur,
where the conversion of the carbon di oxide occurs which results in the oxygen production. In addition to it algae-utilizes
nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) as nutrients during the photosynthesis. As a result, the polluted air which is
passed through the equipment generates the purified air, which has high concentration of oxygen.
Keywords: Air pollution, Spirulina, Photosynthesis, Absorbance, Optical density, oxygen
1. INTRODUCTION
Air pollution is growing day by day and its threat is becoming a challenge which we need to overcome. Every life form one
way or another is getting affected by this threat. Air pollution are caused by various pollutant may it be primary like sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, chlorofluorocarbons CFCs etc. or secondary like ozone,
peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN). Each pollutant has its own threats to us, out of which some creates grave danger to human life.
The basic process of photosynthesis is plants and other organisms to convert light energy, normally from the sun, into
chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organism activities and thus release oxygen as a
by- product. Most plants, most algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis, and such organism are called
photoautotrophs. Microalgae are sunlight-driven cell factories that convert carbon dioxide to potential biofuels, foods,
feeds and high value bio-actives. Though we tried to use algae to reduce air pollutant such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen by process of photosynthesis
2. TYPES OF AIR POLLUTANT:
PRIMARY POLLUTANT SECONDARY POLLUTANT
1- Oxides of Sulfur (SO2, SO3) 1- Sulfuric acid
2- Oxides of Carbon (CO, CO2) 2-Ozone
3- Oxides of Nitrogen (NO, NO2) 3-formaldehyde
4- Lead(pb), Hydrocarbons, H2S 4-PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate)
NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD
S.
No.
Pollutant Time
Weighted
average
Concentration in Ambient Air
Industrial,
Residential,
Rural and
Other Area
Ecologically sensitive
area (notified by Central
Govt.)
1
Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2
), mg/m
3
Annual 50 20
24 hours 80 80

2
Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2
), mg/m
3
Annual 40 30
24 hours 80 80
3
Particulate Matter
(size less than 10
mm) or
PM10
mg/m
3
Annual 60 60
24 hours 100 100
4
Particulate Matter
(size less than 2.5
microns) or PM2.5
mg/m
3
Annual 40 40
24 hours 60 60
(Source: Central pollution Control Board, 2009)
3. EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTANT
The effects of various pollutants can be understood in terms of health aspects and environmental aspects. The effects are
summarized in the following table:
Pollutants Major effects
Health effects Environmental effects
Sulphur oxides (SOx) Respiratory problems, Heart and lung
disorders, Visual impairment
Acid rain
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Pulmonary disorders, increased
susceptibility to respiratory infections
Precursor of ozone formation in
troposphere, Aerosol formation
Particulate matter (PM) Respiratory problems, liver fibrosis,
lung/liver cancer, Heart stroke, Bone
problems
Visibility reduction
Carbon monoxide (CO) Anoxemia leading to various
cardiovascular problems. Infants, pregnant
women, and elderly people are at higher
risk
-
Ozone (O3) Respiratory problems, Asthma, bronchitis
etc.
O3 in upper troposphere causes
greenhouse effects, Harmful
effects on plants as it interferes in
photosynthesis and results in death
of plant tissues since it assists in
the formation of Peroxyacetyl
nitrate (PAN)
Lead (Pb) Serious effects on central nervous system
since it is absorbed rapidly in blood
stream, Anaemia, toxic for soft tissues and
bones
-
Ammonia (NH3) Immediate effects lead to burning of eyes,
nose, throat, and respiratory tract.
Prolonged effects result in blindness, lung
damage, or death.
-
4. LITERATURE SURVEY
Neda Jalilian et al. (2020) Microalgae are biological sources with an extensive range of biotechnological applications, e.g.,
for bioremediation of industrial and municipal wastes. Microalgae are used to monitor environmental toxicants like
pesticides, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals and in the final stage of wastewater treatment when organic pollution
should be removed. CO2 capturing is also important due to the environmental issues. Macro/microalgae cultures,
depending on their growth stages and life cycles, have great potential for CO2 fixation. They are a dominant group of
microorganisms for biological treatments with regards to their substantial biosorption ability to deactivate toxic heavy

metals. Actual carbon bio-fixation can be employed in the direction of environmental sustainability and economic facility.
Besides, algae are sustainable feedstock to produce a wide range of biofuels by applying thermochemical or biological
conversion methods.
A. S. A. El-Eslamboly et al. (2019) This study was conducted during seasons 2016 and 2017 to control the root-knot
nematode Meloidogyne incognita in cucumber, cultivated in infected soil, using some algal treatments under greenhouse
conditions, at Kaha Farm, Qaluobia Governorate, Egypt. Six algal treatments were tested: two foliar applications of
Spirulina and Amphora, two drenched soil applications of Spirulina and Amphora, two treatments using Spirulina, as
spraying and drenching, and Amphora, as spraying and drenching, in addition to the Rugby nematicide (10% Ebufos , at
the rate of 5 g/m2) and control. Rugby was applied by a soil prepared in its experimental units. After 15 days from
transplanting, the algal extract treatments were applied twice monthly for 3 months. The same concentration (2 g/l) of
both types of algae was applied in both foliar and drench treatments. The control was sprayed only by water. The results
indicated that the soil drenched with Amphora or Spirulina extracts had significant increments in vegetative growth, yield,
and fruit quality. In contrast, the control plants had the lowest values in all criteria. Amphora (sprayed with soil drenched)
treatment gave 2.5 and 2.69 folds the control in marketable yield in 2016 and 2017 seasons, respectively. The combination
of sprayed and soil drenched with Amphora was more effective in nematode’s control or in enhancing plant resistance for
nematode as shown at most nematode parameters, especially the rate of nematode reproduction factor (RF), which
reached 0.42 and 0.45 in both seasons, respectively.
Yunes Panahi et al. (2018) Environmental contamination, principally caused by the toxic chemicals from human
activities or industrial processes, includes air, water, and soil contamination. Therefore, the development of highly efficient
methods for providing an appropriate environment is needed for the industrialized countries. Nanotechnology provides
novel treatment approaches and creates new technologies with superior advantages compare to the conventional
techniques. Through the present research, the recent developments in nanotechnology have been reviewed, and potential
applications of nanomaterials for the removal of pollutants from air, water and wastewater have been discussed.
Lazuardi Umar et al. (2015) Environmental problems including water and air pollution, over fertilization, insufficient
wastewater treatment and even ecological disaster are receiving greater attention in the technical and scientific area. In
this paper, a method for water quality monitoring using living green algae (Chlorella Kessleri) with the help of the
intelligent mobile lab (IMOLA) is presented. This measurement used two IMOLA systems for measurement and reference
simultaneously to verify changes due to pollution inside the measurement system. The IMOLA includes light emitting
diodes to stimulate photosynthesis of the living algae immobilized on a biochip containing a dissolved oxygen
microsensor. A fluid system is used to transport algae culture medium in a stop and go mode; 600s ON, 300s OFF, while
the oxygen concentration of the water probe is measured. When the pump stops, the increase in dissolved oxygen
concentration due to photosynthesis is detected. In case of a pollutant being transported toward the algae, this can be
detected by monitoring the photosynthetic activity.
Tinglin Huang et al. (2016) The physical control technologies mainly include the mixing–oxygenating technology,
dilution and scour, sediment dredging, and coverage. The chemical control technologies mainly include phosphorus
precipitation and passivation, restoration of acidified lakes or reservoirs, and sediment oxidation. The ecological control
technologies mainly include bioremediation, phytoremediation, and biomanipulation remediation. By analysing and
comparing the tested data, for water sources such as reservoirs, the mixing–oxygenating technology is more suitable for
decreasing endogenous pollution and controlling eutrophication.
WeimingHu et al. (2015) Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes with nano-TiO2 (5% of PVDF by mass,
average size = 25 nm) additives were fabricated and applied for high-density algae (Chlorella vulgaris) cultivation. At the
average light intensity of 121 μmol/m2/s, the algal membrane bioreactors (A-MBR) operated at a hydraulic retention time
of 0.5 d and an average solids retention time of 25 d had an average algae biomass concentration of 2350 ± 74 mg/L (in
COD units) and algal biomass production rate of 6.5 ± 0.1 g/m2/d. The A-MBRs removed an average of 78% of phosphorus
from the wastewater at the initial total phosphorus concentrations ranging from 3.5 to 8.6 mg/L.
(Juliana Botelho Moreira 2015) Biological processes are alternatives for combating pollution and generating new
products. The microbial metabolism degrades and removes pollutants, which generates fewer environmentally harmful
products. In this scenario, microalgae have been studied for wastewater treatment, toxic metal bioremediation, carbon
dioxide (CO2), bio-ﬁxation, biofuel, biopolymer and Nano ﬁber production. Various cultivation conditions have been
studied to increase the micro algal biomass productivity and reduce production costs. Semi-continuous cultivations have
several advantages compared with batch and continuous processes. Semi-continuous processes involve periodically
replacing part of the microalgae culture medium with fresh culture medium (dilution). Such cultivation methods can be
used for larger scale biomass production while maintaining a high microorganism growth rate. The same inoculum can be
used for long periods, which avoids idle time due to harvesting the formed biomass, cleaning the photo bioreactor and

initiating the process. Another advantage of this process is control of the nutritional and kinetic parameters.
5. METHODOLOGY
5.1: Culturing of algae
The microalgae spirulina is to be used for this project. Cells are cultivated in the modified culture medium with
ratio 1:1. It is stored under sunlight with complete aeration. The sub culturing is to be done for every 10 days. The
culture medium is to be maintained at a temperature of 20˚c to 40˚c. It is preferred that the pH value of the culture
fluid is 10.5 Constituents of culture media are: sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, potassium sulphate,
magnesium sulphate, sodium nitrate, ferrous sulphate (in required proportions).
Procedure: 1 litre of distilled water to be taken in a conical flask, and it is to be sterilized using auto clave for
about 15 minutes at 120˚c. it is being cooled until it reaches to room temperature. Chemicals are being weighted.
Chemicals are being added to sterile water and stirred until all chemicals are dissolved. Make the nutrient media
and spirulina in ratio 1:1
5.2: Experimental setup
The primary objective of this method is to provide a system for purifying a polluted air by using spirulina algae,
which is capable of reducing NO2, SO2, CO2 & CO from the polluted air and generating oxygen.
Materials Required: Spirulina, gas cylinder, battery, pipes and wires, LED lights.
Procedure: The system consists of culture tank filled with the culture fluid including spirulina. The required
pollutant gases are supplied to the tank using a gas cylinders, which is connected to it. LED lights are connected to
the system to radiate light to the culture. The culture fluid in presence of CO2 & light undergoes photosynthesis to
convert CO2 into O2. In addition, the algae use NO2 & SO2 as a nutrient.
5.3: Analysis of NO2 and SO2
NO2 and SO2 are the two important dangerous gases that are present in the polluted air. There are different
methods to analyse the concentration of NO2 & SO2. The NO2 and SO2 gases which are present in the air are
consumed by the spirulina during photosynthesis as a main nutrient. The concentration of these gases present in
the polluted air is obtained by analysing the amount of NO2 and SO2 that are dissolved in the algae (spirulina).
Materials required: Spectrophotometer, calorimeter, chemicals, glassware, reagents, cuvette
Chemicals required: p-rosaniline hydrochloride, formaldehyde, Sulphamic acid, NEDA solution, sulphanilamide.

Analysis of SO2: Sample is being taken, Sulphamic acid and rosaniline HCL, HCHO is being added. Kept it on RT
and absorbance is being calculated @ 560nm
Analysis of NO2: Sample is being taken, sulphanilamide and NEDA solution being added and kept at RT.
Absorbance is being calculate @ 560nm
Graph 1: Standard calibration curve of nitrogen oxide
Graph 2: Standard calibration curve of sulphur oxide
6. CONCLUSION
This report mainly focuses on the reduction of pollutants of air. Here it is done by passing the pollutant gases to
the equipment containing spirulina. The algae utilize the carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide as
the nutrients for its growth. By the process of photosynthesis where carbon dioxide is converted to oxygen
utilizing nitrogen dioxide and sulphur oxide as nutrients spirulina has reduced the pollutants. Through series of
test it is found that the amount of nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide has been reduced
7. REFERENCES
1- Costa, J. A. V., de Morais, M. G., Radmann, E. M., Santana, F. I. B., Camerini, F., Henrard, A. A., ... & Brusch, L. U.
(2015). Biofixation of carbon dioxide from coal station flue gas using Spirulina sp. LEB 18 and Scenedesmus
obliquus LEB 22. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 9(44), 2202-2208.
2- Greenstone, M., & Hanna, R. (2014). Environmental regulations, air and water pollution, and infant mortality
in India. The American Economic Review, 104(10), 3038-3072.

3- Environmental pollution control microbiology by- ROSS E. MCKINNEY.
4- http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Algae
5- Harish, M. (2012). A study on air pollution by automobiles in Bangalore city.
6- Kodo, K.Kodo, Y., & Tsuruoka, M. (2000) U.S Patent No. 6083,740. Washington, DC U.S Patent and trademark
office.
7- Pray, H. A., Schweickert, C. E., & Minnich, B. H. (1952). Solubility of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and helium in
water at elevated temperatures. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 44(5), 1146-1151.
8- Ra, S., & Rajendranb, S. Growth measurement technique of microalgae.
9- Sumardiono, S., Budiyono, I. S., & Sasongko, S. B. (2014). Utilization of biogas as carbon dioxide provider for
Spirulina platensis culture. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(1), 53-59.
10- Yen, H. W., Ho, S. H., Chen, C. Y., & Chang, J. S. (2015). CO2, NOx and SOx removal from flue gas via microalgae
cultivation: A critical review. Biotechnology journal, 10(6), 829-839.
11- Ra, S., & Rajendranb, S. Growth measurement technique of microalgae.
12- Yen, H. W., Ho, S. H., Chen, C. Y., & Chang, J. S. (2015). CO2, NOx and SOx removal from flue gas via microalgae
cultivation: A critical review. Biotechnology journal, 10(6), 829-839.

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